Cowan was convicted on March 13 this year, and sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years.

Mr Morcombe said it had been a "massive year" for his family and called Cowan's appeal bizarre.

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"March 13 seems so far away and yet so close. But here we are, another step. Let's hope it's another nail in the coffin."

Mrs Morcombe was also blunt about the appeal.

"I just think it's an absolute waste of taxpayers' money, the whole thought process, the appeal," she told reporters.

Cowan was found guilty in March of murder, indecent treatment of a child and interfering with a corpse.

But Cowan's lawyers say he didn't get a fair trial and are expected to argue the jury should never have heard his recorded confession to undercover police.

The confession, made to police masquerading as gangsters, formed a key part of the prosecution's case during Cowan's trial, as did video recordings of Cowan leading undercover officers to Daniel's remains.

Lawyers are also expected to critique what they say was biased media coverage of the trial.

Daniel was abducted in December 2003 while waiting for a bus to go shopping for Christmas presents for his family.

Queensland's Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has launched his own appeal, arguing the 20-year non-parole period is not long enough.